Maria Audrey-Louise Williams of Burr Oak faces arraignment on charges of open murder and felony firearms following a preliminary hearing this morning in St. Joseph County District Court.

3B District Judge Robert Pattison bound the case over to circuit court after a 45-minutes hearing. Pattison said St. Joseph County Prosector John McDonough showed probable cause that Williams is the person who committed the crime.

Williams, 34, is accused of the fatal shooting of Dennis Dale Brooks, 33, on March 13 after the two had an argument on Townline Road in Burr Oak Township. She returned to her home on North Fifth Street in Burr Oak, where her brother called 911 and reported the shooting. Williams was arrested that night.

Less than two weeks before the shooting, a personal protection order requested by Williams was issued against Brooks by 45th Circuit Judge David Tomlinson. Williams claimed she feared for her life. Brooks asked the court to terminate the order, claiming accusations were false.